“(Derek) Shankland’s bigger issue is with extending the meter hours from 6 to 8 p.m. in Pioneer Square. Not only does he believe that this will affect people’s decisions about where they will shop or enjoy happy hour, it will be a burden on the restaurant employees in the area. Waiters and bartenders tend to arrive for work between 4 and 5 p.m. Having them pay for an additional two hours of parking may not seem like much to a planner in the Seattle Municipal Tower, but it is a big impact for a group of people who have had a hard time getting through the recession.”

And to add a little perspective to the issue from the resident’s side:

“Residents at the meeting had some interesting perspectives as well. Jenn Stellflug has lived in Pioneer Square for six years. She brought up the idea of establishing a Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) for the Square. This would provide Pioneer Square with the neighborhood status that it deserves. She was told by SDOT that RPZs are not allowed in the Downtown Core. But who thinks Pioneer Square is in the Downtown Core?”